Can Surface Compete with iPad?

Has iPad met its match?  While it is too early to tell what impact Microsoft's venture into the tablet market will have, the answer appears to be - not likely.  Check out this post that compares Surface to iPad. There appear to still be a lot of questions about Surface, in particular price and mobile capabilities.  Although I remain skeptical, I still can't wait to check out the new tablet in person, especially taking the pen for a spin.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57458868-1/why-the-microsoft-surface-probably-wont-be-an-ipad-killer/

Apple - Seducing Folks Since the Days of Adam and Eve

Why is it any Apple store you pass by anywhere in this country is always crowded with people playing with the latest and "sexiest" technology?  Read the post from Forbes.com and find out.  Everything about the experience is designed to make you buy and then remain loyal to the Apple brand.  There is even a app to calibrate the ideal viewing angle of monitors for customers.  Was Steve Jobs a genius or what?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2012/06/14/why-the-new-macbook-pro-is-tilted-70-degrees-in-an-apple-store/

I'm All About Technology, But Really???

I love technology.  You know that.  I believe it will continue to change how we educate our children, but really - algorithm scoring of essays?  I came across this article the other day and have heard about essay scoring programs, but I remain a skeptic.  Has writing become so formulaic, at least the kind of writing in the upcoming release of high stakes tests that will purportedly measure writing, that a computer program can skim and scan looking for key words and phrases and grammatical errors and then profess to be scoring a studneets' writing?    Mr. Vander Ark of OpenEd Solutions is quoted, Providing students with instant feedback about grammar, punctuation, word choice and sentence structure will lead to more writing assignments.  SO that's what writing is?  Really?  I remain a skeptic.  Read the piece below and see where you stand.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/10/business/essay-grading-software-as-teachers-aide-digital-domain.html?_r=1

The Reach of the Rubric Grows

The Evaluation Rubric for iPod Apps I developed in 2010 continues to impact the field like ripples in a pool.  It was recently cited in a post on the Tech and Learning Site.  The original rubric, as well as a number of revisions, are in use by practitioners and researchers all over the world.  Later this month I hope to get my doctoral study rolling in order to provide empirical research to support the content validity of the rubric.  We have made progress, but the technology continues to move much faster than the empirical evidence to support its efficacy.  You can read the piece below:

http://www.techlearning.com/Default.aspx?tabid=67&EntryId=4328